Defense Minister’s Press Conference on October 30

The training at Yausubetsu is part of an effort, based on the SACO Final Report, to disperse to Self-Defense Forces training areas on mainland Japan the U.S. Marine Corps’ live-fire training formerly conducted by closing Okinawa Prefectural Route 104. Five training areas on mainland Japan are covered.

The Minister said that, as the security environment grows increasingly severe, Japan has continued efforts to increase more advanced and practical joint training to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance’s deterrence and response capabilities. As a recent example, the Minister cited Keen Sword and said that it included the temporary deployment of Japan and U.S. forces on the largest scale ever.

The Minister said dispersing the training would reduce risks, help ensure smooth traffic, and contribute to reducing Okinawa Prefecture’s burden. The Minister also said the government takes seriously the fact that Okinawa’s people continue to bear a significant base burden more than 80 years after the war, and will steadily implement measures to reduce that burden.

The Minister said understanding and cooperation from communities around Yausubetsu Training Area are important, and that the government will take every possible measure to ensure safety and work to minimize effects on the region.

The Minister welcomed the progress of the joint training, saying it is strengthening the posture and capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

The U.S. Marine Corps will conduct live-fire training at Yausubetsu Training Area for 10 days during the period from November 25 to December 6.

Japan and the United States continue to coordinate the specific content of their joint training. The Minister said that, during a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the Philippines, he expressed Japan’s intention to advance future, more advanced and practical joint training, including additional live-fire training, with greater urgency. It was not clarified whether this would include live-fire training for the Typhon mid-range missile system or the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Type 25 SSM, which were cited in a question as examples.

Japanese and U.S. senior working-level officials are discussing effective measures to prevent recurrence in the case of a U.S. Marine stationed in Okinawa who was arrested on suspicion of robbery-murder. The Minister said he would not prejudge the outcome, would reach a conclusion as soon as possible, and would announce and implement measures as they are decided. He did not give a specific assessment of the Liberty Program or joint patrols at this time, and said he understood that the U.S. side would further review its guidelines for conduct.